The following is a map unit description from the "Soil
Survey of Barnstable County, Massachusetts (Fletcher, 1993)"

PvC-Plymouth-Barnstable complex, rolling, verybouldery.
These undulating and rolling, very deep, excessively drained
and well drained soils are on the side slopes of moraines. Stones
and boulders cover 1 to 3 percent of the surface (fig. 13).
Slopes range from 3 to 15 percent. The soils make up about 1.1
percent (2,811 acres) of the survey area. They are mapped mainly
in the Plymouth-Barnstable-Nantucket general soil map unit. Areas
are irregular in shape and generally range from 20 to 600 acres
in size. They are about 55 percent Plymouth soil, 20 percent
Barnstable soil, and 25 percent other soils. The soils occur as
areas so intricately mixed or so small that separating them in
mapping is not practical.

Typically, the surface of the Plymouth soil is covered with an
organic layer. This layer is about 1 inch of loose, undecomposed
pine needles, leaves, and twigs and 1 inch of partly decomposed
and well decomposed organic material. The surface layer is about
3 inches thick. It is black, very friable loamy coarse sand in
the upper 1 inch and gray, loose coarse sand in the lower 2
inches. The subsoil is about 26 inches thick. In sequence
downward, it is 1 inch of dark brown, very friable gravelly loamy
coarse sand; 5 inches of strong brown, very friable gravelly
loamy coarse sand; 1 0 inches of yellowish brown, very friable
gravelly loamy coarse sand; and 10 inches of light yellowish
brown, loose gravelly coarse sand. The substratum extends to a
depth of 65 inches or more. It is light brownish gray, loose
gravelly coarse sand in the upper 12 inches and pale brown, loose
coarse sand in the lower part.

Typically, the surface of the Barnstable soil is

covered with an organic layer. This layer is about 1 inch of
undecomposed pine needles, leaves, and twigs and 2 inches of
partly decomposed and well decomposed organic material. The
surface layer is dark gray, very friable sandy loam about 1 inch
thick. The subsoil is friable sandy loam about 22 inches thick.
The upper 1 inch is dark brown, the next 7 inches is yellowish
brown, and the lower 14 inches is light olive brown. The
substratum to a depth of 65 inches or more is light yellowish
brown, loose coarse sand.

Included with these soils in mapping are small areas of
Carver, Hinckley, and Nantucket soils. Also included are areas
where slopes are less than 3 percent or more than 15 percent and
small, isolated areas that do not have boulders on the surface.
Included soils make up about 25 percent of this unit.

Permeability is rapid in the subsoil of the Plymouth soil and
very rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is low.
Depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.

Permeability is moderately rapid in the subsoil of the
Barnstable soil and rapid or very rapid in the substratum.
Available water capacity is moderate. Depth to the seasonal high
water table is more than 6 feet.

Most areas are used as woodland. A few areas have been
developed for homesites.

These soils are unsuitable as cropland because the surface
stones and boulders interfere with the use of equipment. The
Barnstable soil is suited to cultivated crops, however, if the
stones and boulders are removed. The Plymouth soil is droughty
during periods of low rainfall.

These soils are suited to native pasture. They are poorly
suited to hay and improved pasture because the use of equipment
is limited by the surface stones and boulders. The main
management objective is the prevention of overgrazing, which
reduces the hardiness and density of desirable plants. Proper
stocking rates, timely grazing, and restricted use during wet
periods help to maintain plant density and minimize surface
compaction.

These soils are suited to woodland. The Plymouth soil is
droughty. As a result, some seedling loss is expected. The use of
equipment may be hampered because of the boulders. Thinning dense
stands to standard stocking levels results in more vigorous tree
growth. Removal or control of competing vegetation helps to
obtain the best growth of newly established seedlings. The most
common trees are pitch pine, white oak, scarlet oak, eastern
white pine, and black oak.

Areas of these soils that have slopes of more than 8 percent
are limited as sites for buildings. Land grading is generally
needed. Buildings and lots should be designed so that they
conform to the natural slope of the land. Erosion is a hazard
during and after construction. Planting well suited grasses as
soon as possible after the surface is disturbed minimizes the
erosion hazard. The surface and subsurface stones and boulders
may hamper site development.

These soils are limited as sites for septic tank absorption
fields because of the slope and the rapid or very rapid
permeability. The soils may not adequately filter the effluent.
The poor filtering capacity may result in the pollution of ground
water. The hazard of pollution increases with the density of
housing. Installing the distribution lines on the contour or in
areas that were graded during construction of the dwelling helps
to overcome the slope. Precautionary measures may be necessary in
some areas.